Patently Female (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Greg Ptacek (Author) "Of necessity, women have long been inventors..." (more)
Key Phrases: personal communicator, New York, Computer Liberation, Inventors Hall of Fame (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In their sequel to Mothers of Invention, Vare and Ptacek explore female innovators a role history has often failed to record, let alone reward. The first U.S. patent was awarded to a woman, Hannah Slater, in 1793, for perfecting cotton sewing thread. But the authors quickly demonstrate that women's inventions aren't limited to the home. Both the brassiere and the jockstrap were invented by women. Can't do without that cordless phone? Thank Terri Pall. Interested in voting reforms? Susan Huhn invented the most reliable and mobile voting machine. The brilliance of physicist Dr. Stephen Hawking is transmitted through computer technology invented by Martine Kempf, Leslie Dolman and Carrie Heeter. And Hawking studies the universe in good company: Jocelyn Bell discovered the pulsar, and women invented the Mars rover and the space suit. Dr. Gertrude Elion's immunosuppressants make lifesaving transplants possible, including bone marrow transplants, which were Dr. Suzanne Ilstaad's revolutionary treatment for end-stage cancers and anemias. The major AIDS-fighting drugs, AZT and protease inhibitors, were also invented by women. Of course, not all women's inventions are so dramatic witness the TV dinner, Jell-O, tract housing and Barbie. Vare and Ptacek detail how women's ideas like the cotton gin, automatic sewing machine and even the Brooklyn Bridge have often been attributed to men and how history books and museums like the Smithsonian and the National Inventors Hall of Fame have ignored women's achievements. The book's lighthearted, colloquial style makes it ideal for classrooms, but the lack of specific years for many of the inventions is irksome. Photos.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Vare and coauthor Greg Ptacek are enamored of inventors and their amazing stories of perseverance. An informal sequel to Mothers of Invention (1988), Patently Female records some improvement in the recognition of women innovators, a development they're determined to encourage, and their conviction infuses their book with energy and pride. Women have always been inventors by necessity, as evident in the tales of secretary and single mom Bessie Nesmith, who gave the world liquid paper (and a rock star), and Mary Anderson, the inventor of the windshield wiper. And onward they march, the clever and resilient women inventors of Scotchguard, Lactaid, the first computer language, the first library database, chemotherapy, AZT, the Mars rover (named the Sojourner Truth ), the bra, Barbie, and many more. Donna Seaman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (November 9, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471023345
• ISBN-13: 978-0471023340
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #703,227 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting and little known contributions by women, August 18, 2002

By A Customer

The book can be read as an entity or read randomly as time allows because each inventor has a brief self-contained section in the larger chapters. The book is well-written and it is not an academic punishment to read. There is enough detail to set the reader into further research but it is light enough to provide information in an enjoyable way. The inventors often have insightful quotes. It should be required reading in schools to encourage more participation in science, math, computers and intellectual curiosity in general.

Not just about science, the book also mentions patenting the brassiere, computer technologies and some weird ideas (skeletons shocking criminals into confessions, anyone?). A nice mix of fun and facts.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Patently Female, November 27, 2001

By A Customer

This book gives you a fascinating look at the contributions that female inventors have presented to the world, from diapers to medical treatments to cutting edge technology. Too often these female inventors are overlooked or don't get rightful credit for their awe-inspiring accomplishments. This book brings alive the ingenuity and resourcefulness of female inventors, who should not be forgotten.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Uncovers unrecognized achievements of women, August 20, 2002

By	Nan (Mesa, AZ United States) - See all my reviews

Many inventions and achievements attributed to men actually were first made by a woman! Some of the inventions and achievements profiled in this book I was aware of, but many were surprises. Men and women both would benefit from reading this book: Women-to see what women have achieved and as models for what is possible and men- for a wake-up as to the achievements and capabilities of women. Fortunately women are more likely to be recognized now for their achievements, but we still have a long way to go. When I authored a book on small businesses, I encountered many instances where women did not receive credit for their contributions which were often greater than the men in their business. This book is educational and inspirational. Give this book to a woman you want to inspire!